NILES — A gold morning sunlight broke through the trees, flags and flowers at Riverfront Park’s Yellow Ribbon Garden in Niles Saturday. It also broke upon the face of a new object in the area: a Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker.

The marker, fixed onto a large rock, was unveiled, wreathed and dedicated at a 9:30 a.m. ceremony last Saturday by Four Flags Garden Club, in conjunction with Michigan Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs.

Like all Blue Star markers, it will honor people in the U.S. who have served, are serving or will serve.

“It’s a visible tribute to the armed forces,” said Ronnie Ship, president of the Four Flags Garden Club. “It fosters patriotism.”

She said the marker was a decade in the making. An anonymous donation of more than $500 allowed the group to purchase the marker in July.

Garden clubs across the nation purchase, dedicate and maintain more than 3,600 Blue Star memorials throughout the U.S. Some are on rocks in gardens. Others are on signs that dedicate highways.

The Four Flags Garden Club’s marker became the 99th in the state of Michigan, and it drew three dozen audience members and leadership of Michigan Garden Clubs to Yellow Ribbon Garden, which the Four Flags Garden Club organization maintains.

“We remember with every drumbeat at the Fourth of July,” said Michigan Garden Clubs First Vice President Monica Taylor about the armed forces. “When we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, we remember. At the sound of revelry, we remember.”

Remembrance of those who served and are serving was a constant theme amongst all speakers at the event.

“May it be a place where we can honor those who have made difficult decisions to serve and fight alongside our country,” said Summit Church of Niles Pastor Chuck Zook during his benediction.

Phyllis Davis had much to remember, too. Her husband served in the armed forces, and her son was finishing his 35th year in the military.

She spoke as both the cofounder of Blue Star Mothers, MI-193 in Buchanan and as Four Flags Garden Club treasurer at the dedication. Blue Star Mothers is for women who have children or grandchildren serving or who have served in the military or the reserves.

“To all my vets, thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said, donning a blue suit and a blue scarf with stars.

Like Davis’ outfit, the ceremony was patriotic. Many audience members donned red, white and blue attire. “Taps,” “Armed Forces Salute,” the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance were played.

“As the last lingering notes of “Taps” resounds in the distance, we remember,” Taylor said. “In remembering today, we dedicate this Blue Star marker in honor and glory of all men and women who have served, are serving or will serve in the armed forces of this great nation.”